Final push made ahead of tight Malaysia vote

Flags of Malaysia's ruling National Front coalition are seen, with the background of landmark Petronas Twin Towers, ahead of Sunday's general elections in Kuala Lumpur, Saturday, May 4, 2013. Malaysia will hold general elections on May 5 in what could be the toughest test of the ruling coalition's 56-year grip on power in Southeast Asia's third-largest economy. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)
— AP

Flags of Malaysia's ruling National Front coalition are seen, with the background of landmark Petronas Twin Towers, ahead of Sunday's general elections in Kuala Lumpur, Saturday, May 4, 2013. Malaysia will hold general elections on May 5 in what could be the toughest test of the ruling coalition's 56-year grip on power in Southeast Asia's third-largest economy. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)
/ AP

He has embarked on a series of economic and government transformation efforts to revamp his coalition's image, including abolishing security laws widely considered repressive, wooing investment from abroad and bolstering public welfare, including cash handouts for civil servants and the poor. He has pointed to the National Front's stewardship that turned Malaysia from an agricultural backwater into a modern, stable nation.

Najib reiterated Friday that the National Front has a "good chance" of regaining its two-thirds majority in Parliament.

Anwar also said he is confident of winning because of rising support among younger voters.

"People have enough of this semi-authoritarian rule, of complete (government) control of the media, of strong arrogance, of power and endemic corruption," Anwar told The Associated Press in an interview this week.

Anwar and a polls watchdog have voiced concerns that the results could be marred by fraud.

Complaints have been made that indelible ink, which will be used for the first time to prevent multiple voting, could be washed off voters' fingers. The opposition has also said the National Front is chartering flights to bring tens of thousands of dubious voters to cast ballots in key areas. The government said the flights were part of efforts to bring voters back home to vote.

Polling watchdog Bersih urged Malaysians to exercise their right to vote as it warned the elections could "be stolen from the people with a series of fraudulent moves on the eve of polling day."